Spray gun



Oct. 19, 1965l R. R. scHElNER-r SPRAY GUN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 2., 1963 United States Patent() 3,212,717 SPRAY GUN Richard R. Scheinert, Waukegan, lli., assignor to Outboard Marine Corporation, Waukegan, Iii., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 2, 1963, Ser. No. 269,908 13 Claims. (Cl. 239-336) The invention relates generally to spray guns and more particularly, to devices for depositing a sprayed rein forced resinons laminate. Although various materials can be utilized for reinforcing a resinous laminate, one of the most common is Fiberglas roving which is cut into relatively short lengths Iand which, when cut, is commonly referred to as chop The invention provides a spray gun including chop cutting delivery means incorporating an elongated chop delivery tube and air jet means for drawing chop into the tube and for delivering the chop from the tube in a stream, together with a resin spraying head incorporating a resin mixing chamber which is disposed around the chop delivery tube and which includes a rotor for mixing the components supplied to the mixing chamber.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the mixing chamber communicates with a plurality of radially arranged nozzles which are disposed around a chop delivery tube extending centrally of the nozzles. Also included in this preferred embodiment is a trigger which serves to concurrently control the valves controlling uid supply to the mixing chamber and the valves controlling discharge from the nozzles. Preferably, the trigger is arranged to delay opening of the supply valves until after opening of the nozzle valves and to close the supply valves before closure of the nozzle valves. The invention also provides a mixing rotor which is especially adapted for operation in a cylindrically shaped mixi-ng chamber, wherein fluid is admitted through the cylindrical wall and is discharged through one of the end walls. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become known by reference to the following drawings and accompanying description of one embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is an elevational view of the discharge end of one spray gun embodiment incorporating various of the features of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partially broken away and partially sectioned side elevational view of the spray gun shown in FIGURE 1. The sectioned portion of the spray head is taken generally along line 2 2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken generally along line 3 3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional View taken generally along line 4 4 of FIGURE 1 with certain parts omitted;

FIGURE 5 is -a sectional view taken generally along line 5 5 of FIGURE l at the interface between the spray head and the bracket part of the frame;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the rotor incorporated in the spray gun shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 7 7 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 8 8 of FIGURE 7.

Devices embodying various of the features of the invention can be used for a variety of purposes. The disclosed spray gun 11 is especially adapted for spraying a polyester resin such as Gel-Kote, a trademark designating -a product of the Glidden Co. More specifically, the spray gun 11 is adapted to be hand held and includes a frame 13 from which there depends a handle 15. Mounted on the frame 13 is means, including a delivery tube 17, for cutting and discharging a stream of chop,

and a resin spraying head 19 which embodies several discharge nozzles 21 and is designed to discharge or project several streams of resin toward the stream of chop for mixture therwith at a point spaced from the discharge end of the spray gun and immediately forwardly of the surface upon which the reinforced plastic laminate is being fabricated.

Polyester resins, such as Gel-Kote, cure or set at room temperatures when mixed with both a catalyst or oxidizing agent, such as benzoyl peroxide, and a promotor or reducing agent, such as diathel analynine. The spray gun 11 is designed to take advantage of the selfcuring properties of a mixture of such resin, promotor, and catalyst without running the risk of premature curing of the mixed resin before being sprayed. In this regard, the spray gun 11 includes means for receiving resin and, separately from each other, each of promotor and catalyst for thoroughly mixing these components in the spray gun, and for projecting individual streams of mixed resin, promotor, and catalyst. More particularly, the spray head 19 includes a mixing chamber 23 communicating with the discharge nozzles 21, means for separately supplying to the mixing chamber two fluid components, and means in the mixing chamber for thoroughly mixing the separately supplied fluid components prior to disch-arge of the mixed uid through the nozzles 21. In the illustrated embodiment, each of a mixture of resin and promotor and a mixture of resin and catalyst are supplied to the mixing chamber.

Although other devices could be used, in the illustrated embodiment, the mixing means takes the form of an annular, paddle-type rotor 25. Still further, in the illustrated embodiment, the mixing chamber 23 is circumferentially disposed around the chop delivery tube 17 with the rotor 25 being mounted for rotation around the chop delivery tube.

Considering the construction of the illustrated embodiment in greater detail, the frame 13 includes, as seen in FIGURE 2, the spray head 17, a bracket or mid part 27, and a handle supporting part 29. Removably extending centrally through the frame 13 is the chop delivery tube 17 which is locked in position by suitable locking means, such as tbe illustrated cam lock indicated at 31. The chop delivery tube constitutes an elongated cylindrical tube which terminates at its discharge end forwardly of the spray head. At its rearward end, the chop delivery tube 17 is connected with a housing 33 which delines a cutting chamber 35.

As shown best in FIGURES 7 and 8, the housing 33 comprises a guard 37 which is attached to one side of a mounting plate 39 to thereby deiine the cutting chamber 35 into which elongated roving or strands 41 are introduced and subsequently cut into relatively short lengths referred to herein as chop 43. The guard 37 includes a generally fiat wall 45 in parallel relation to the mounting plate 39 and an upstanding side wall 47 which extends generally around the periphery of the flat wall to the mounting plate 39 except for a chop discharge opening 49.

As can be seen best in FIGURE 8, the discharge opening in the housing 33 has at least one dimension which is substantially larger than the diameter of the chop delivery tube 17. Accordingly, the housing is connected to the supply end of the chop delivery tube by a transition section or piece 51 having a bore 53 which flares outwardly toward the housing to a smooth transition between the chop discharge opening in the housing and the internal diameter of the chop delivery tube.

As seen best in FIGURE 7, a gear case 55 is provided by the mounting of a support plate 57 -in spaced relation to the other side of the mounting plate 39 by means of a series of spacer bars 59. Mounted on the support plate 57 is a motor 61 which can be either electrically or pneumatically operated, and includes an output sh-aft carrying a pinion 63. The pinion is enmeshed with a gear 65 carried by a shaft 67 journaled in spaced bearings 69 in each of the mounting plate 39, support plate 57, and guard 37. Within the cutting chamber 35 there is mounted on the shaft 67 a cutting roller 71 including a series of axially extending knife blades 73.

The `gear 65 is enrneshed with :a gear -75 of like size carried on a second shaft 77 which is supported by spaced bearings 79 in each of the mounting plate 39, support plate 57, and guard 37. Within the cutting chamber 35 on the shaft 77 there is mounted a rubber covered roller 81 which co-acts with t-he knife blades 73 of the cutting roller 71 to cut the elongated roving strands 41 -into the relatively short lengths herein referred to as the chop 43.

The guard 37 also includes, in the side wall 47, a series of apertures 85 through which air is admitted into the housing, and a block 87 of material such as Teflom a trademark of the E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., which block 87 includes one or more apertures 89 (three in the illustrated embodiment) for guiding and passing a corresponding number of elongated roving or strands 41 into the cutting chamber 35. In order to guide the roving 41 from the block 87 to the bite between the rollers 71 and 81, another rubber covered roller 91 is rotatably mounted on the guard 37 in lightly touching frictional engagement with the rubber covered roller 81.

Means are provided in the chop delivery tube 17 for withdrawing the chop 43 from the cutting chamber 35 and for discharging the chop in an organized stream from the discharge end of the delivery tube. Such means includes a series of orifices 95 located in the wall of the chop delivery tube at a point adjacent to the transition section 51 and means communicating with the orifices 95 and with a source of pressure air. More particularly, each of the orifices 95 is provided by a passage or bore 97 which extends .at a relatively small acute angle, i.e., less than 45 degrees, with respect to the axis of the chop delivery tube and toward the discharge end thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four such passages 97 equally spaced around the tube and disposed at an angle of about ten degrees to the axis of the tube.

While each of the passages 97 could be separately connected to a source of vpressure air, in the illustrated embodiment, a plenum 99 extends around the chop delivery tube 17 in communication with each of the passages 97 and with a suitable fitting 101 adapted for connection with a source of pressure air.

l When pressure air is supplied to the plenum 99 and the motor 61 is simultaneously operated after one or more strands of roving 41 have been introduced into the bite between the rollers 71 and 81, the flow of pressure air into the chop delivery tube through the orices 95 and out of the discharge end of the chop delivery tube produces a low pressure or suction condition in the chop delivery tube rearwardly of the orifices 95. As a result, the chop 43 produced by the rollers is sucked or drawn into the chop delivery tube 17 and into the pressurized air ow for discharge out of the forward end of the tube in an organized stream.

' As noted before, the spray head 19 forms one part of the frame 13 and is located in encircling relation to the forward portion of the chop delivery tube 17. Included in the spray head is a relatively large forwardly located cylindrical portion 111 and a relatively small hub 113 extending rearwardly from the forward cylindrical portion 111.

The forward face of the cylindrical portion 111 of the spray head 19 is provided with a cylindrical cavity 115 which defines the major part of the before mentioned mixing chamber 23. Adjacent to its forward face, the spray head 19 is counterbored to provide an annular passageway 117 providing means for supplying mixed resin, promotor, yand Icatalyst from the mixing chamber 23 to the discharge nozzles 21. Spaced radially outwardly from the annular passageway .117 is an annular groove or conduit 119 which communicates with a fitting 121 on the exterior of the spray head, which fitting 121 is adapted for connection to a source of pressure air. As will be explained, the annular conduit 119 also communicates with each of the discharge nozzles 21 separately from the annular resin delivering passageway 117a The mixing chamber' 23, annular passageway 117, and annular air conduit 119 are closed by a face plate 123 including la series of holes about which the discharge nozzles 21 are mounted. Use of the annular passageway 117 and the annular air conduit 119 permits employment `of face plates having a differing number and arrangement of nozzles located .at a common radial distance from the chop delivery tube. In the disclosed embodiment, as shown in FIGURE l, four equ-i-angultarly located nozzles 21 are provided, with each nozzle being centered on a radial line extending at an angle of about 45 degrees from the Vertical.

Various nozzle constructions can be used provided that the nozzles are arranged to deliver plastic streams for mixture with the stream of chop at a point spaced from the discharge end of the spray gun.

In the disclosed construction, each ofthe nozzles is of identical construction. As seen best in FIGURE 3, each nozzle 21 includes a cup shaped plug 127 which is secured to the face plate 123 in generally closing relation to one of the holes 125. The plug 127 includes, at the end secured to the face plate, a cross wall 129 which is chamfered on its forward side to provide a seat 131 and which includes a central bore 133 providing communication lthrough the plug 127 with the annular passageway 117 and providing for passage of a needle valve 135 having a stem 137. The chamfered seat 131 is counterbored to provide an annular air chamber 139, which air chamber communicates through an eccentric aperture 141 in the cross wall 129 with the annular air conduit 119.

At its other end, the plug 127 is threaded for receiptof a retainer ring 151 having a flange 153 which co-acts with a flange 155 on a nozzle element or air cap 157 to engage the nozzle element 157 with a resin tip or valve seat 159 and in turn, to engage the resin tip 159 with the chamfered seat 131 formed on the plug 127. More speciiically, the resin tip 159 is conically formed at each end and includes a center bore in communication with the bore 133 in the plug cross wall 129. The center bore includes a `forward portion 161 and a rearward portion 163 of greater diameter than the forward portion, which portions are connected by a tapered portion constituting a valve seat 165 for the end of the needle valve 135. Extending axially in radially spaced relation from the central bore 161, 163, and 165 are a series of air holes 167 which communicate with the air chamber 139 formed by counterboring the seat 131 of the plug 127.

The forward conical end of the resin tip 159 is cutaway to dene a projecting sleeve 169 at the forward end of the reduced diameter bore portion 161 which co-operates with the nozzle element 157 to provide a second air chamber 171.

More specifically, the nozzle element 157 extends generally conically from its flange 155 and includes a conical cavity providing a seat 173 engaging the forward conical wall of the resin tip 159. Extending from the cavity in concentric relation with the sleeve 169 is a bore 175 of slightly greater diameter than the outer diameter of the sleeve 169 to provide an annular aii passage entrance or opening 177 from the second aircharnber 171 into the bore 175. During operation of the spray gun, air passing through the annular air entrance 177 in the bore 175 serves to atomize the resin, promotor, and catalyst mixture.. The bore terminates in an orifice 179 which is shaped tol direct the atomized discharged stream of resin mixture toward the stream of chop for mixture therewith at a point spaced from the discharge end of the sprang gun.

The means for separately supplying nriixtures on resin and promotor and resin and catalyst comprises a pair'of separate conduit arrangements 191 each including a first bore 193 extending radially within the spray head 19 from the circumferential wall of the mixing chamber 23. Communicating with each of the radial bores 193 and extending parallel to the axis of the chop delivery tube 117 are respective second bores 195, each of which includes a valve seat 197 against which a needle valve 199 is operable. The second bore opens at the rearward face of the cylindrical spray head portion 111, thereby permitting passage therethrough of the needle valve 199. Suitable packings 201 are provided t-o prevent escape of resinous uid around the stems of the needle valves 199.

Communicating with each of the second bores 195 in rearwardly spaced relation from the valve seats 197 are respective third bores 203, each of which extends radially of the spray head 19 and terminates in a fitting 205 on the outer surface of the spray head. The fittings 205 are respectively adapted to be connected to a source of resin and promotor and a source of resin and catalyst, which sources preferably include means for supplying the resinous mixtures to the spray head under pressure.

In order to obtain thorough mixing of the separately supplied promotor and catalyst with each other and with the resin, the mixing chamber includes mixing means which, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises the before mentioned annular paddle-type rotor 25. The rotor is journaled for rotation in the mixing chamber 23 about a bearing sleeve 221 (see FIGURE 2) telescopically surrounding the chop delivery tube 17. Disposed between the bearing sleeve 221 and the rotor 25 is a bearing cage or housing 223 including a plurality of roller bearings 225. The rotor 25 is retained against axial displacement by respective forward and rearward spacer rings 227 and 229 formed of material such as Teon Considering its construction in greater detail, the rotor 25 includes, as seen best in FIGURE 6, a cylindrical core 231 and spaced, forward and rearward flanges 233 and 235 which extend respectively from inwardly of the ends of the core 231, thereby defining respective forward and rearward rotor hubs 237 and 239 engaged with the respective spacer rings 227 and 229. The forward fiange 233 extends from the core to adjacent the circumferential wall of the mixing chamber 23 at a point located between the resin supply bores 193 and the annular resin passageway 117, thereby substantially barring flow therebetween. The rearward flange 235 extends from the core 231 to adjacent the circumferential wall of the mixing chamber 23.

Fixed to the rear face of the rear flange 235 in radially outward relation to the hub 239, as seen in FIGURE l, is a gear 241 of Teflon, or other like material. Meshed with the gear 241 is a pinion 243 mounted on the end of a drive shaft 245 extending through a plug 247 received in a cavity in the rear face of the cylindrical spray head portion 111. The drive shaft 245 is connected through a coupling 249 to the output shaft of a drive motor 251 which can be either pneumatically or electrically powered. The motor 251 is mounted to the frame on a bracket 253 which extends from the frame mid part 27. Thus, actuation of the drive motor 251 causes rotation of the rotor 25 in the mixing chamber 23 about the chop delivery tube 17.

Means are provided on the rotor 25 for establishing a circuitous flow circumferentially around the core 231 of the rotor 25 and between the anges 233 and 235 to assure thorough mixing of the promotor and catalyst with each other and with the resin. Such means includes, as seen in FIGURE 6, a series of generally radially outwardly extending paddles 261 which are mounted in slots formed in the flanges 233 and 235. The paddles 261 are generally of like construction, each having a radial extent less than the radial extent of the flanges and each having therein one or more flow permitting apertures 263. The paddles 261 are alternately arranged sequentially around the rotor in inner and outer groups extending respectively outwardly from adjacent to the core and inwardly from adjacent the outer periphery of the anges.

More specifically, as seen best in FIGURE 6, each of the paddles 261 in the outer group is inclined, with respect to a radial line, outwardly and forwardly with respect to the direction of rotation of the rotor. As a result, incident to rotor rotation, the paddles 261 in the outer group tend to direct the flow of resin, catalyst, and promotor inwardly toward the inner group of paddles. In turn, the inner group of paddles is inclined, with respect to a radial line, outwardly and rearwardly with respect to the direction of rotor rotation. As a result, the resin flow is directed by the inner group of paddles outwardly toward the outer group of paddles.

Means in the form of one or more apertures 265 in the forward ange 233 are provided for affording flow of the mixed resin, promotor, and catalyst from between the flanges to the annular passageway 117. Flow through the apertures 265 can be provided, at least in part, by the provision of a positive pressure condition at the source of each of the resin and promotor mixture and the resin and catalyst mixture. In addition, How is induced through the apertures 265 by means for creating, in response to rotor rotation, a suction condition in the area of each aperture 265 tending to draw mixed resin, promotor, and catalyst through the flange 233. In the illustrated embodiment, such projecting means is provided by ears 267 which extend from each of the paddles in the outer group toward the face plate 123 from a point located, with respect to the direction of rotor rotation, in advance of an adjacent one of the apertures 265.

The rotor 25 is self-lubricating by reason of the inducement of a resin flow through the annular area between the core 231 and the bearing sleeve 221 and between the individual roller bearings 225. Such fiow is induced by providing the forward hub 237 of the core 231 with one or more slots 269 which, as seen in FIG- URE 6, extend, with respect to a radial line, outwardly and forwardly in the direction of intended rotor rotation, thereby providing communication between the annular area within the core 231 and the forward part of the main body of the mixing chamber 23. The inclined relation to the slots 269 facilitates centrifugal discharge of the resin from the annular area within the core. At the rearward end of the core, the hub 239 is provided with one or more radial slots 271 to provide communication between the rearward end of the annular area within the core 231 and the rearward part of the main body of the mixing chamber 23, thereby affording means for continuously supplying resin to replace the resin which is centrifugally discharged at the other end of the core 231.

Control of resin discharge from the nozzles and control of the flow to the mixing chamber of each of the resin and promotor and resin and catalyst mixtures is provided by a trigger 275 which is movable relative to the handle 15. As shown best in FIGURE 5, the trigger 275 includes a lower portion adapted to be grasped by the fingers and an enlarged upper portion 277 including a pair of spaced arms 279 which are pivotally mounted on a pair of studs 280 on the mid part 27 of the frame 13. The trigger is operative to displace the needle valves relative to their seats in the nozzles 21 so as to control discharge of the mixed resin, promotor, and catalyst from the spray head 19 by means including an annular pull plate 281 which is telescopically disposed around the hub 113 of the spray head 19. The pull plate 281 is connected by a pair of links 283 to the arms 279 of the trigger 275 at a point spaced from the mounting studs 280 to effect movement of the pull plate 281 axially of the chop delivery tube 17 in response to pivotal trigger movement. The pull plate 281 is also connected to each ofthe needle valves 135 to control their operation.

Specifically, the pull plate 281 includes a series of apertures 283 (see FIGURE 1) which are respectively aligned with bores 285 which extend axially through the spray head 19 from the annular passageway 117 to the rear face of the spray head in alignment with the bores in the respective resin tips 159. Suitable packing means are provided in the rearward end of each of the bores. Extending in the bores 285 are the needle valves 135 which control resin discharge through the nozzles 21. A rearward portion 289 of the stem 137 of each of the needle valves 135 is threaded and passes through an associated one of the apertures 283 in the pull plate 281. A nut 291 is engaged on the threaded portion 289 of each of the valve stems 137 to enable individual adjustment of each `of the needle valves 135 relative to the pull plate 281.

Biasing means in the form of springs 293 is provided ,to maintain the respective nuts 291 in engagement with the pull plate 281 so that movement of the pull plate is eective to obtain like needle valve movement. More particularly, each of the .apertures 283 in the pull plate 281 is counter-bored on its forward side to provide a seat for the associated one of the springs 293. In addition, each of the needle valve stems 137 is provided with a collar 295 in the form of a snap ring to provide an opposing seat for the associated one of the springs 293. Accordingly, when the trigger 275 is rocked rearwardly, in the counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGURE l, the needle valves 135 are displaced rearwardly in unison to permit discharge through `the nozzles 21. When the trigger rocks in the clockwise direction as seen in FIG- URE l, the needle valves 135 are displaced forwardly to engage their valve seats, thereby preventing further resin discharge from the nozzles 21.

Means are provided for biasing the trigger 275 away from the handle to its position effecting closure of the needle valves 135 controlling resin discharge from the nozzles. In the illustrated embodiment, such means includes a forwardly open socket 301 in the handle 15 housing a compression spring 303. Partially received in the socket 301 is a button 305 which is urged forwardly by the .spring 303 into engagement with the trigger 275 to bias the trigger toward its forward position which is effective to prevent resin discharge from the nozzles 21.

Identical means acting generally in unison are provided for controlling each of the needle valves 199 regulating flow to the mixing chamber 23. In this regard, below the socket 301, the handle 15 includes a pair of forwardly open sockets 307 located in alignment with the bores 195 in the spray head 19. Telescopically engaged in each of the sockets 307 is a generally hollow peg or sleeve 309 having, at its forward end, an inturned flange 310 dening an lopening 311. Rearwardly, the needle valves 199 pass through bores 315 in the trigger 275 and through the respective openings 311 in the sleeves 309. Each of the needle valves 199 includes a head 313 which is biased into engagement with the rearward face of the associated iiange 310 by a spring 314 housed in the associated one of the sockets 307. Engagement of the springs 314 with the heads 313 also normally serves to seat the needle valves against their valve .seats to prevent supply of the resin mixtures to the mixing chamber 23. In order to permit limited rearward rocking of the trigger 275 toward the handle 15 accompanied by opening of the nozzles 21 prior to permitting ow to the mixing chamber 23, the needle valves 199, sleeves 309, and sockets 307 are dimensioned so that the sleeve flanges 310 are spaced from the trigger 275 when the trigger is in its closed or forwardmost position. Accordingly, as the trigger 275 is rocked rearwardly toward the handle 15 from its closed position, the needle valves 135 will be initially displaced relative to their valve seats to permit resin discharge from the nozzles 21. Subsequently, the trigger 275 will engage the sleeves 309 to displace the needle valves 199 rearwardly, thereby permitting flow of resin and promotor and of resin and catalyst into the mixing chamber 23. When the trigger 275 is relaxed, the supply of resin and promotor and resin and catalyst to the mixing chamber is shut ofi prior to closure of the discharge nozzles.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A spray gun comprising a frame, a chop delivery tube mounted on said frame and communicating at one end with a source of chop, air jet means on said tube for establishing a relatively high velocity air flow in said tube toward the end thereof remote from said chop source, whereby there is created, at the end of said tube adjacent to said source, a suction condition drawing the chop into said tube and into said relatively high velocity air flow to thereby deliver the chop from said tube in a stream, a plurality of resin discharge nozzles on said frame in spaced relation from said chop tube, means on said frame defining a mixing chamber disposed around said chop delivery tube, means on said frame communicating between each of said nozzles and said mixing charnber, and means on said frame communicating with said mixing chamber for supplying resin and, separately from each other, each of promotor and catalyst to said mixing chamber. l

2. A spray gun in accordance with claim 1 including an annular rotor, means mounting said rotor in encircling relation to. said chop tube for rotation in said mixing chamber, and means on said frame connected to said rotor for rotation thereof.

3. A spray gun in accordance with claim 1 wherein said discharge nozzles are disposed in generally uniform radially spaced relation from said tube.

4. A spray gun including a frame, a chop delivery tube mounted on said frame, a plurality of resin discharge nozzles on said frame in spaced relation from said chop tube, means on said frame defining a mixing chamber disposed around said chop delivery tube, means on said frame communicating between each of said nozzles and said mixing chamber, and means on said frame communicating with said ymixing chamber for supplying resin and, separately from each other, each of promotor and catalyst to said mixing chamber.

5. A spray gun comprising a frame, a chop delivery tube mounted on said frame and communicating at one end with a source of chop, means connected to said frame for supplying chop to said tube and for delivering chop from said tube in a stream, a mixing chamber disposed around said tube, a rotor rotatably mounted on said tube and in said mixing chamber, means on said frame for rotating said rotor, conduit means on said frame communicating with said mixing chamber for separately supplying to said mixing chamber each of two fluid components, first valve means in said conduit means for separately controlling the supply of each of the iiuid components, a plurality of discharge nozzles on said frame in spaced relation from said tube and arranged to direct streams of the mixed fluid components toward said stream of chop for mixture therebetween at a point spaced from the discharge end of said delivery tube, means communicating with each of said nozzles and said mixing chamber, second valve means separately controlling the flow of the mixed components from said mixing chamber to each of said nozzles, a trigger movably mounted on said frame, and means connecting said trigger to said rst valve means and to said second valve means for opening said second valve means prior to opening of said rst valve means and for closing said first valve means prior to closing of said second valve means.

6. Means in accordance with claim 5 wherein said connecting means includes means for independently adjustably varying the connection of each of said second valve means with said trigger.

7. A spray gun in accordance with claim 5 including means for rotating said rotor, and wherein said mixing chamber is cylindrical and has a pair of axially spaced end walls and a circumferential wall joining said end walls, said means communicating between said chamber and said nozzles terminates in one of said chamber end walls, said conduit means terminates in said circumferential wall in spaced relation from said one end wall, and said rotor includes a core, a flange extending from said core to adjacent said circumferential wall between said conduit means and said one end wall, said flange having at least one aperture therein, a series of paddles projecting generally radially outwardly with respect to said core and extending from said one flange toward said other chamber end wall, said paddles including means defining a circuitous path for fluid flow circumferentially of said core, means projecting from said flange toward said one end wall and in adjacent relation to said aperture for creating a condition of lesser pressure in the area adjacent to said aperture so as to induce flow, in response to rotation of said rotor, through said flange from said other end wall side thereof to said one end wall side thereof.

8. A spray gun comprising a frame, a mixing chamber on said frame, an arbor in said mixing chamber, a rotor rotatably mounted on said arbor, means on said frame for rotating said rotor, conduit means on said frame communicating with said mixing chamber for separately supplying to said mixing chamber each of two fluid cornponents, first valve means in said conduit means for separately controlling the supply of each of said fluid components, a plurality of discharge nozzles on said frame, means communicating with each of said nozzles and said mixing chamber, second valve means separately controlling the flow of mixed resin from said mixing chamber to each of said nozzles, a trigger movably mounted on said frame, and means connecting said trigger to said first valve means and to said second valve means for opening said second valve means prior to opening of said first valve means and for closing said first valve means prior to closing of said second valve means.

9. A spray gun comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a mixing chamber including a pair of spaced end walls, a cylindrical wall joining said end walls, and an arbor extending axially of said cylindrical wall, a rotor rotatably mounted on said arbor, said rotor including a core, a flange extending from said core to adjacent said cylindrical wall, said flange having at least one aperture therein, means on said flange projecting toward one of said chamber end walls and forwardly of said aperture with respect to said one rotative direction for creating a localized condition of lesser pressure in the area of said aperture to induce flow through said aperture incident to rotation of said rotor in one rotative direction, said projecting means being located in adjacent relation to said aperture and forwardly of said aperture with respect to said one rotative direction, a series of radially outwardly projecting paddles extending from the other side of said flange, said paddles having a radial extent less than the radial extent of said flange and being arranged at at least two different distances from said core to permit circuitous circumferential ilow around said core, said paddles which are located at a lesser distance from said core being inclined, with respect to a radial line, outwardly and rearwardly with respect to said one rotative direction and said paddles which are located at a greater distance from said core being inclined, with respect to a radial line, outwardly and forwardly with respect to said one rotative direction, means on said frame for rotating said rotor, means on said frame communicating with said mixing chamber through said cylindrical Wall and between said flanges for separately supplying two fluid components to said mixing chamber, and a plurality of discharge nozzles on said frame, said nozzles communicating with said mixing chamber through said one end wall.

10. A spray gun in accordance with claim 9 wherein said means defining said mixing Vchamber comprises a spray head having a cylindrical cavity therein and a cover plate closing said cylindrical cavity, said spray head also including an annular groove in radially spaced concentric relation with said cylindrical cavity, said groove being adapted for communication with a source of pressure air, said cover plate also supporting said nozzles in position for communication through apertures in said cover plate with said mixing chamber and said annular groove.

11. A spray gun comprising a frame, an elongated chop delivery tube mounted on said frame and communicating at one end with a source of chop, air jet means on said tube for establishing a relatively high velocity air flow in said tube toward the end thereof remote from said chop source, whereby there is created, at the end of said tube adjacent to said source, a suction condition drawing the chop into said tube and into said relatively high velocity air flow to thereby deliver the chop from said tube in a stream, a plurality of resin discharge nozzles on said frame, in spaced relation from said chop tube, means on said frame defining a mixing chamber disposed around said chop delivery tube, means on said frame, communieating between each of said nozzles and said mixing chamber, and means on said frame communicating with said mixing chamber for supplying resin and, separately from each other, each of promotor and catalyst to said mixing chamber.

12. A spray gun comprising a frame, means on said frame for delivering a stream of relatively short lengths of roving comprising a housing defining a chamber, a cutter mounted in said chamber and adapted to cut elongated strands of roving into relatively short lengths, a delivery tube mounted on said housing in outwardly projecting relation therefrom and communicating with said chamber, air jet means on said tube for establishing a relatively high velocity air flow in said tube toward the end thereof remote from said chamber, whereby there is created at the end of said tube adjacent to said chamber a suction condition drawing the relatively short roving lengths into said tube from said chamber and into said relatively high velocity air flow to thereby deliver the relatively short roving lengths from said tube in a stream, said air jet means including a circumferential series of at least two orifices in said tube providing communication between said tube and a source of pressure air, said orifices extending toward the end of said tube remote from said chamber at an acute angle of less than 45 degrees with respect to the axis of said tube, a plurality of resin discharge nozzles on said frame in spaced relation from said chop tube, means on said frame defining a mixing chamber disposed around said chop delivery tube, means on said frame communicating between each of said nozzles and said mixing chamber, and means on said frame communicating with said mixing chamber for supplying resin and, separately from each other, each of promotor and catalyst to said mixing chamber.

13. A spray gun comprising a frame, means on said frame defining a cylindrical mixing chamber having a pair of axially spaced end walls, a circumferential wall joining said end walls and an axially extending arbor, means in said circumferential wall spaced from said one end wall affording supply of two fluid components to said chamber, a rotor rotably mounted on said arbor, said rotor cornprising a core, a flange extending from said core and having at least one aperture therein, means projecting from one side of said flange in outward relation thereto and in adjacent relation to said aperture to create a localized condition of lesser pressure in the area adjacent to said aperture to induce flow through said aperture incident to rotation of said rotor, and a series of paddles projecting radially outwardly with respect to said core and extending from the other side of said flange, at least one of said paddles having means for permitting passage thereby of fluid flowing circumferentially of said core,

means for rotating said rotor, and a plurality of discharge nozzles on said frame, said nozzles communicating with said mixing chamber through said one end wall.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 12 Wijdeveld et a1 302-58 Hanusch 239-336 Lind 83-98 Tucker 302-58 Bradley 239-336 Loeiel 88-98 Shelton 239-336 EVERE'IT. W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner. 

4. A SPRAY GUN INCLUDING A FRAME, A CHOP DELIVERY TUBE MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, A PLURALITY OF RESIN DISCHARGE NOZZLES ON SAID FRAME IN SPACED RELATION FROM SAID CHOP TUBE, MEANS ON SAID FRAME DEFINING A MIXING CHAMBER DISPOSED AROUND SAID CHOP DELIVERY TUBE, MEANS ON SAID FRAME COMMUNICATING BETWEEN EACH OF SAID NOZZLES AND SAID MIXING CHAMBER, AND MEANS ON SAID FRAME COMMUNICATING WITH SAID MIXING CHAMBER FOR SUPPLYING RESIN AND, SEPARATELY FROM EACH OTHER, EACH OF PROMOTOR AND CATALYST TO SAID MIXING CHAMBER. 